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Beijing unveils more missiles for export, shedding light on its internal programs

Printed headline: Cruise Offer

Further evidence of China's progress in cruise missiles is emerging, with detail coming to light on research and development and upgrade programs.

Beijing is touting improved anti-ship missiles for export, featuring seeker technology with greater resistance to countermeasures. The Chinese are also revealing more about their air force's first-generation land-attack cruise missile, the YJ-63.

China is beginning to provide data on one of its latest anti-ship cruise missile programs, the YJ-62, which it is giving the export designation the C602. The YJ-62 appears to be in the final stages of development for the Chinese navy, but is also already being proposed for overseas sale by the China National Precision Machinery Import and Export Corp (CPMIEC). Also detailed for the first time is the C802A, an improved version of the YJ-8 anti-ship missile.

CHINA'S SUCCESS in nurturing its indigenous missile capability will almost certainly mean it will play a larger role in the export sector. Its products could prove attractive to nations that would otherwise be unable to purchase such classes of missiles.

Data on both systems was released last week by CPMIEC during the Defense Systems & Equipment International (DSEI) land and naval systems exhibition here Sept. 13-16. CPMIEC claims both missiles are fitted with frequency agile radar seekers, giving the systems much greater resistance to jamming. Chinese anti-ship missiles used single-frequency seeker technology previously.

The C602/YJ-62 has a stated range of 280 km. (174 mi.), with the missile flying at an altitude of 30 meters (98 ft.) during the cruise phase of an engagement. In the terminal phase, the missile descends 7-10 meters. The active radar seeker has an acquisition range of up to 40 km. The system is a conventional cruise missile design, with mid-body wings which deploy following launch. The engine inlet is mounted slightly forward of the cruciform tail fins.

The C802A is an extended-range version of the YJ-8 family of missiles, with an engagement envelope of up to 180 km. This program may be associated with the YJ-85 designation. Turbojet propulsion is used on two missiles.

Both systems are initially intended for ship or coastal defense, though they could also be adapted for air-launched applications. Previous versions of the C802/YJ-8 family have been modified for such applications. Iran is an export customer for versions of this missile.

China's YJ-63 land-attack cruise missile is carried by the H-6 bomber aircraft. China is pursuing a number of cruise missile programs for both air and ship launch.Credit: CHINESE MILITARY AVIATION

The YJ-62 will equip Chinese navy guided-missile destroyers. At least two of a new class, the 052C, are being built; the first was launched in 2003. The ship is fitted with two sets of four-canister launchers amidships.

Range for the C602 export version is given as 280 km., which falls within the 300-km. threshold of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). Warhead size is given as 300 kg., again below the 500-kg. limit of the MTCR accord.

It is claimed that the C602 uses strap-down inertial guidance coupled with GPS, and active radar for the terminal phase. The missile is 6.1 meters long, without the 0.9-meter launch booster, and 1,140 kg. The solid propellant booster weighs an additional 210 kg.

High-quality imagery of the Chinese air force's first in-service land-attack cruise missile, the YJ-63, has also become available. Readily apparent is the missile's airframe design heritage from the Russian Styx class of anti-ship missiles, the basis of Chinese missile families. The YJ-63 is believed to use an electro-optical seeker for terminal guidance, and man-in-the-loop guidance with target imagery from the TV-seeker being fed back to the H-6 launch aircraft. What could be a datalink antenna is visible toward the missile's front. The missile shown may be a practice round--the nose cover appears too small for a TV seeker.

Banned Idiot

finally some info on the 52'cs weaponry. 280 km is very impessive. the progress the lacm is getting is also very good. the missle may be finished development by 2007 and will enter srvice when gallileo come online in 2008.

Banned Idiot

the b-52 is a great aircraft, and is set to retire after over 100 years of service. the h-6 was comparable to early versions of the b-52, but quikly lost its lead. but im sure the chinese will find more ways to upgrade it. but the best way is replace it with a backfire.